fall/winter cycle clothing

[Melalvai]

Thanks for telling us about this. I don't have terrible issues with cold feet but I'm somewhat known as the bike expert (for utility biking) around here so it really helps me to hear other people's solutions, that I can share with the next person who asks me.

[gocard]

I went for a nice ride today. It was overcast and a tiny bit foggy and damp (low 50s), so this was my first time trying to dress more warmly for a ride. I got a great deal on pair of Gore Sportive tights so I wore that over my regular bike shorts. I wasn't sure if it would be warm enough and since I was stopping over at other places after my ride, I wore a light pair of athletic pants over this.

On the top I had put on my tennis/running clothes, so they are technical fabrics but not bike-specific. Maybe it is overkill to some, but I had two light layers on and a running jacket on. None of these were windproof but I figured I'd try it out before buying more clothes.

Also had a pair of thin full-fingered gloves and a Pearl Izumi headband for my ears. I'm happy to say that this worked out great for me! There was quite a bit of wind and it was drizzly, but I never felt cold once I got going on my bike. The cycling tights were great - never felt any wind chilling my legs. My feet were cold though, so I'll be taking this thread's recommendations under consideration.

I think my lifesaver was probably the gloves and especially the headband. My ears were freezing and the wind was howling past me last time, but this time I was thrilled at how comfortable I was during the entire ride.

Bottom line is, if you don't already have them...I recommend a headband to cover your ears! What a difference it makes.

[Megustalaplaya]

Headbands do make a difference! I rode yesterday when it was in the 40's and my ears were nice and warm for once. I wore PI thermal tights, thermal jersey, and a front barrier longsleeve baselayer and was just fine. Still trying to work out the cold fingers and toes issues. Right now I'm using a thermal toe cover and wool thermal socks and my poor tootsies are really unhappy. Going to try putting newspaper in my shoes as mentioned above and see if that helps. I've decided the Specialized Deflect gloves I purchased suck, and will need to get something else.

[Catrin]

I have found the PI Barrier shoecovers are da bomb for the temps I ride in - I would certainly have them on in the 40's. Below 45 I would also have chemical toe warmers as well, I will ride down to 38 or so (cold air is an asthma trigger for me so I am careful) but since I don't go much lower than that these shoe covers serve well. If I ever get to the point where I can ride in colder temps then I will seriously consider true winter shoes.

[Megustalaplaya]

I've been looking for winter shoes as I have figured out that my summer ventilated shoes are the issue with my cold feet. Only problem is that I have already spend quite a bit on winter riding apparel that new winter shoes are now not in the budget. I don't have a lot of room in my current shoes to add layers of socks. I've tried chemical toe warmers in 29 degree weather and they didn't help at all. My toes and fingers were so cold they were hurting! Wonder if picking up a used pair of shoes in a larger size to duct tape the vents and layer on the socks would get me through the winter or at least until winter shoes start going on sale in late winter/early spring?

Speaking of winter shoes is there such thing as a winter road shoe? All I have really seen so far are winter riding boots for commuting in slush or mountain biking.

I have found the PI Barrier shoecovers are da bomb for the temps I ride in - I would certainly have them on in the 40's. Below 45 I would also have chemical toe warmers as well, I will ride down to 38 or so (cold air is an asthma trigger for me so I am careful) but since I don't go much lower than that these shoe covers serve well. If I ever get to the point where I can ride in colder temps then I will seriously consider true winter shoes.

[Catrin]

For me, the PI Barrier shoe covers, that covers my summer bike shoes, work fine. You can see them here and they are on sale. There are other shoe covers you can find as well, and they would work better than taping over the vents on another pair of shoes. Adding more socks wouldn't help - you do NOT want your feet to sweat in cold temps.

Below 45 degrees I use chemical toe warmers on top of my socks, the Barrier shoe covers over my regular Mavic shoes, and 1 pair of thin wool socks. This works for me unless it is really windy then I will add toe covers to my shoes underneath the Barrier shoe covers. There may be less expensive shoe covers than the Barriers, but I can't speak to how well other shoe covers might work. I do not think the shoe covers would do so well below freezing though I could be mistaken. Others can speak to riding in those temps, my asthma prevents me from going there.

I've been looking for winter shoes as I have figured out that my summer ventilated shoes are the issue with my cold feet. Only problem is that I have already spend quite a bit on winter riding apparel that new winter shoes are now not in the budget. I don't have a lot of room in my current shoes to add layers of socks. I've tried chemical toe warmers in 29 degree weather and they didn't help at all. My toes and fingers were so cold they were hurting! Wonder if picking up a used pair of shoes in a larger size to duct tape the vents and layer on the socks would get me through the winter or at least until winter shoes start going on sale in late winter/early spring?

Speaking of winter shoes is there such thing as a winter road shoe? All I have really seen so far are winter riding boots for commuting in slush or mountain biking.